Coinfections/spotted fever/typhus questions - Lyme Disease Message Board

namelessme · 05-12-2009, 07:58 PM

Hello,

I recently had some Lyme disease tests done, and came back with positive IGGs for Ehrlicia HME (1:128), Spotted Fever (1:128), Typhus (1:128) as well as an elevated EBV (mono exposure, I assume).

I saw a Lyme doctor, who suspects I have Lyme based on symptoms and several health issues. He is treating me with Doxy, and stated the Ehlicia should be treated even though it was a past infection (I'm inclined to believe him). My recent Western Blot came back negative (no bands), but many years ago when I had the test done, I recall several bands being positive, but not enough for treatment. I'm going to get the Igenex WB tested soon. How common is it to have no bands on a regular WB, yet come back positive on Igenex? Curious what my chances are on the Igenex...

And what is the significance of having Spotted Fever and Typhus exposure? Do they require treatment, or are just more evidence of being bitten by one or more sickly ticks at some point in the past?

jojo · 05-14-2009, 06:50 AM

Hi, just my thoughts, but if you are seeing a LLMD. And you have had bands pulled up on a Western Blot. Is there reason why you should be tested again?

I had bands pull up and when I did the igenex both times. NOTHING showed....

From what I have read about lyme testing it just isn't accurate.

The bacteria doesn't like oxygen so imbeddeds out of the blood stream into muscle, bone, brain, other organs...So hard to get an accurate test.

Also there are over 300 strains of Lyme bacteria and the testing doesn't cover all of them.

I don't know anything about the other 2 diseases you spoke of. What does your LLMD think?

Hope you get better soon!

Jodie

namelessme · 05-14-2009, 12:10 PM

Thing is, I don't have the test results from when I took it like 10 years ago. I have no idea what bands were positive, or how many. I just remember the doctor saying I had several bands, but not enough to be positive.

I see my doc next week and will ask him about the spotted fever and typhus results. Just curious if anyone here knew if they were significant or not.